Sena reiterates its opposition to Vidarbha statehood

Shiv Sena praised former chief minister Ashok Chavan for advocating a united Maharashtra

The Shiv Sena on Wednesday reiterated its opposition to statehood for the Vidarbha region and said it would do anything to keep Maharashtra united.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamna, the Shiv Sena warned its 28-year-old poll partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that it would foil BJP's efforts to divide Maharashtra for the formation of a Vidarbha state. Interestingly, BJP has been supporting statehood for Vidarbha but has refrained to make it an issue in the run-up to the forthcoming election to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly slated for October.  

Interestingly, despite strong political differences, the Shiv Sena praised Congress leader and Maharashtra's former chief minister Ashok Chavan for advocating a united Maharashtra. Chavan, in his speech on the occasion of launching of the state Congress party's poll campaign on Monday, had made a strong case for a united Maharashtra.

Further, Shiv Sena's timing in targeting the BJP on the Vidarbha issue is quite crucial as it has yet to forget the humiliation from the BJP over the allocation of a non-lucrative and low-key ministry of heavy industries and public enterprises during the Union cabinet formation. This apart, Shiv Sena, which won 18 seats in the Lok Sabha election, is not keen to accept BJP's demand for an equal share in the Assembly election. Additionally, Shiv Sena has staked its claim over the post of chief minister of Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena's outburst also comes at a time when BJP president Amit Shah is visiting Mumbai on September 4 for party functions. Incidentally, Shiv Sena is displeased as Amit Shah during his maiden visit to the city after taking over as the BJP president is not visiting Matoshree, the Thackeray residence in western suburbs. It had been a tradition for top BJP leaders to call on Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.